Janelle Monae Playing Education Rally to Support New York Children
Janelle Monae will perform a free public concert in Albany, New York on Wednesday, March 4th, as part of a rally hosted by Don’t Steal Possible, a campaign organized by Families for Excellent Schools that aims to help hundreds of thousands of children in some of New York’s lowest-rated schools.
The rally is expected to draw 9,000 students, teachers and parents, and will take place at the State Capitol steps. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and a press conference will follow at 1:15 p.m.; it is unclear, however, when Monae will take the stage.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that there are 800,000 New York kids falling through the cracks every year,” Monae said in a statement. “I am honored to stand with families demanding an end to this crisis.”
Monae joins an impressive list of high-profile Don’t Steal Possible supporters, which includes Questlove and members of the Roots, the Beastie Boys’ Mike D and Estelle. Monae is also an active supporter of the Grammy Museum’s musical education outreach program, and last year, Michelle Obama awarded her with the Jane Ortner Education Award.
Monae has been relatively quiet after two busy years supporting her second LP, The Electric Lady, which arrived in 2013. Along with a handful of videos and numerous live dates — including a three-night stint alongside Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall and a holographic collaboration with M.I.A. — Monae released a cover of David Bowie’s classic “Heroes” as part of Pepsi’s 2014 “Now Is What You Make It” campaign.